Settlement: J.K. Rowling's dispute with her literary agent has finally been ended with a deal thought to be worth millions of pounds

Harry Potter author J.K. Rowling has settled a long-running dispute with the agent who discovered her.

Christopher Little, who spotted the potential of her first manuscript after she had been rejected by a number of publishers, was dumped by Miss Rowling seven months ago.

She has now reached an undisclosed financial settlement with the agent – a deal believed to be worth millions of pounds.

Mr Little, 70, was informed of the author’s decision to sever their 16-year association by letter last July – a week before the premiere of the final Harry Potter film and the only one he did not attend.

The agent, who has been seriously ill for some time, said in a statement at the time he was ‘disappointed and surprised’ to learn she had ‘terminated her association’ with his agency.

Miss Rowling, 46, who has an estimated fortune of £500 million, joined a new agency set up by lawyer Neil Blair who, until last summer, was Mr Little’s business partner for ten years.

Her defection came shortly after she announced that she would launch a new free-to-use website, Pottermore, which she said was intended to ‘give something back to the fans’.

It is understood that she and Mr Blair had worked closely on Pottermore when they were both still with Little. It is expected to earn her many more millions through the exclusive sale of ebooks and online games.

At the time of the split, her spokeswoman described it as a ‘painful decision’, adding: ‘Miss Rowling had actively sought a different outcome for some weeks.’

Share this article

Share

The Mail on Sunday was informed of the settlement last week by Project Associates, a Mayfair-based reputation and crisis-management firm.

They said: ‘J.K. Rowling and her
former agent, Christopher Little, have reached an amicable agreement
concluding their long-standing business relationship, the terms of which
remain confidential. No further comments will be issued by either
party.’

Breakout: Miss Rowling's first book, Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone, sparked one of the most successful franchises in literary history

It is understood that Mr Little no longer wishes to remain in direct contact with his one-time protegee and remains hurt by his dismissal.

A publishing friend said: ‘All Christopher wanted was a dignified and professional ending to the relationship.’

Mr Little sold the first novel to Bloomsbury for just £2,500 but later reaped vast rewards from international rights.